Cambridge InsideOut - Sept 19, 2023
Possible Topics:
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1) A Candidate’s View
2) Reconsider This! – Featured Items on the September 18, 2023 Cambridge City Council Agenda
3) Back to School - September 11, 2023 Cambridge City Council meeting
4) Candidate Voting Records in Cambridge Municipal Elections: 2001 - present
5) Candidates and Election News
6) Municipal Election Calendar and Calendar of election and campaign-related events
7) What will this year’s tax rate message be?
9) The Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E
10) Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge News
and especially the City Manager’s message “Regarding Our Unhoused Community”
11) Civic Calendar
Here are the things that drew my attention this week:
Reconsideration #1. That the City Council go on record in opposition to the Cambridge Police Department and the City of Cambridge government sending trainees to, participating in any collaborations with, or supporting the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center or any similar facilities, in any way.
Motion to Reconsider Adopted 9-0; Simmons explains about unintended consequences of Order as written. Toner conveys remarks from Police Commissioner Christine Elow regarding preparation to critical incidents. Zondervan says this is just a resolution that conveys our feelings about it (actually, it's a policy order). McGovern engages in doublespeak, notes that his son lives in Atlanta and has participated in protests there, sees no reason why CPD would ever send anyone there. McGovern doesn't appear to understand that there are different kinds of training, and what Cambridge provides is not the same as what another jurisdiction might provide. Mallon says she was comfortable with original language and also says “this is just a resolution and not a policy order” but it is a policy order. She will not support any amendments. Nolan says we should only utilize facilities “that support our standards”. McGovern wants to add language to call out other facilities other than Atlanta. Carlone expresses confusion and lack of expertise to comment on it, and will vote Present. Siddiqui fine with original. Simmons Amendment Approved 5-4 (DC,MM,PN,DS-Yes; BA,AM,QZ,SS-No). Main motion Approved 6-1-0-2 (BA,AM,MM,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; PT-No; DC,DS-Present)
Mr. Zondervan and his trainees would abolish the police entirely if they could. I doubt whether CPD will be sending any of our police officers to Atlanta, but that’s really not the point of this policy order. I’m glad the matter is up for Reconsideration (it was an oversight that this item was not pulled last week) because anyone who votes in favor of this will not receive any ranking from me on my City Council ballot in November, and I hope others also use this as a signal for their own personal “No Vote” list. Isn’t it ironic that the same people who questioned police actions earlier this year are the same ones who will likely vote against this or any other opportunity for police training?
Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Lauren Reznick as a member of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority for a term of five years.
pulled by Simmons; Referred to NLTP Committee 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2024. [Manager’s message] [Message from Taha Jennings, Chair of Community Preservation Act Committee] [FY24 Project Recommendations]
pulled by Siddiqui; remarks by Nolan re: cost for parks; remarks by Mallon re: cost of 2 BR apartment; all votes Adopted 9-0; Vote to not suspend rules for reconsideration (which is not the same as “moving Reconsideration hoping the same will not prevail”)
Though we all want housing to be as affordable as possible, there are permanent financial impacts associated with each new unit of deed-restricted housing. Hint: Every such unit yields significantly less property tax revenue than the added cost of the City services that must then be provided for its occupants, so residential taxes go up permanently for everyone else and/or more commercial development is required to balance the books. I hear a City Council candidate at a forum last week say why we need to ban labs and build affordable housing - but he neglected to mention that those labs are what pays for that affordable housing.
Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Community Safety Department Update.
pulled by Zondervan who asks about HEART; Liz Speakman responds; Zondervan continues pressure about contract with HEART and is informed that there is not yet a contract (so much for separation of roles of City Council and Executive; McGovern chimes in about “the community” and wait for contract, wants to know when department will be up and running; Speakman says they are aiming for March 2024 and need to build trust and credibility (good luck); Speakman notes plan to have response to 911 calls; Mallon is “excited” and notes that she was able to meet the team of respondents, asks where policy of “mandatory reporting” stands; McGovern elaborates on questions surrounding the filing of reports and possible consequences; Zondervan harps on role of HEART and that “they are up and running” and that they have submitted a proposal; Speakman says there was a meeting but no proposal or scope of services was ever submitted; Zondervan wants more info on HEART and how they will fit in; Placed on File 9-0
Except for the $300,000 in political patronage ARPA funds, this is a promising report.
Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City Manager’s Fall Update.
pulled by Nolan to say “kudos to the team”; Carlone concurs; Zondervan expresses appreciation and notes Budget discussion more collaborative, desire to include more residents, wants more promo on “green jobs”; Nolan would like more on municipal broadband (not in report); Huang says more on municipal broadband coming as well as capital planning; Siddiqui notes UPK, Rise-Up. Placed on File 9-0
Putting a positive spin on everything is a useful skill. Apparently all is well, and none of the City’s actions over the last year have even a shred of controversy or potential negatives.
Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a memo and technical edit of the Affordable Housing Overlay language and Planning Board report with no positive or negative recommendation. [memo and technical edit] [Planning Board report]
pulled by Carlone who notes that corridor heights have now been jacked up from 120' to 140' on corridors, 150' to 170' in squares; Farooq says they did not change the text and that the text was just moved from one section to another; Carlone notes concern about perceived added height; McGovern suspends rules to bring forward Unfinished Business #6 (AHO); Rules Suspended; Moves to amend language by substitution of CDD language; Nolan asks why these amendments are before Council; Farooq explains that these amendments are just refinements at request of Planning Board and that there are still a couple of issues that have come up regarding “split lots” that might thwart the “intended outcome” - working with the project proponents, i.e. the developers who stand to benefit from the changes; Amendments to Petition Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0
Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Council, relative to Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) amendments. (Proposed Ordinance #2023-7) [Passed to 2nd Reading Sept 11, 2023] (ORD23#7) [text of report] [Final Publication]
The AHO (1.0, 2.0, or eventually 3.0, 4.0, etc.) needs a lot more than just a few technical edits. But then again, who has time for all that! Don’t you know that we have a crisis and there’s simply no time to make better decisions!
Charter Right #1. Policy Order re Improving the Quality of Life In and Around Central Square. [Charter Right – McGovern, Sept 11, 2023]
pulled by McGovern, watered down Substitute Order introduced removing references to unhoused community and proposed task force; Toner asks if there was intention to not have Task Force (miscommunication); Substitute Order Adopted 9-0 (Voice Vote)
I can’t wait to hear what Mr. McGovern has to say about this. As the late, great Sergeant Schultz used to say: “I see nothing! I know nothing!”
Charter Right #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments including the Affordable Housing Trust, Community Development Department and Law Department to review the attached zoning proposal and report back to the City Council with an initial assessment regarding the feasibility and efficacy of such an approach no later than Oct 31, 2023. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 11, 2023]
Toner wants to move to Housing Committee; Zondervan says that idea is to add CDD for their thoughts first before referring to committee; Simmons supports referral to Housing Committee but also voting for it as is; McGovern agrees with Zondervan re: sending to CDD only for now with a suggestion that CDD report directly to Housing Committee; Referral to Housing Committee 6-3 (BA,MM,QZ-No)
This proposal is a mix of good and bad ideas and observations, but it does at least highlight one of the greatest deficiencies in our City’s various affordable housing initiatives, namely the fact that they allow little opportunity for actually building wealth and equity. For example: “The existing financing mechanisms for affordable housing development preferentially generate income-restricted rental housing, which is also the greatest need, but further limits homeownership opportunities for people who have been economically disenfranchised.”
Charter Right #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the relevant departments, including Community Development and Law to review the attached proposed amendment language and propose any adjustments no later than the Oct 2, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting. [Charter Right – Toner, Sept 11, 2023]
Order Adopted 9-0
I will simply add that my chief concern with the Green Roofs Zoning Ordinance is that it fails to acknowledge that when a leak occurs in a roof that is complicated by vegetative cover and more, diagnosing and curing that leak becomes an enormous expense - a lot more than just heading up to the roof with some flashing cement or a patch. Theory vs. practice.
Unfinished Business #4. Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled “Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11). [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended Aug 7, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Aug 28, 2023] (ORD22#11) [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; notes that purpose statement updated, membership requirements updated to reflect demographics, AHO oversight to be nonbinding (hence meaningless), climate-related matters made nonbinding, etc.; Amendments re: appointments Approved 9-0; Nolan proposes amendments re: review provisions and non-binding for affordable housing and need to allow commission to impose certain dimensional and setback requirements; Nolan provides some history and context regarding applications and decisions over many decades; Azeem suggests that process causes unnecessary costs to property owners, and need to “foolproof this” for next 40 years; Carlone notes that our NCDs are seen nationally as successful and a model for other cities; McGovern emphasizes that removal of NCDs was intentional; Nolan notes that “size and shape of the structure” is an essential part of the review; Nolan Amendments Fail 3-6 (DC,PN,PT-Yes; BA,AM,MM,DS,QZ,SS) - noteworthy that the vote exactly coincides with the AHO2.0 proposal. McGovern suggests voting this at next meeting.
Note: This entire escapade was purely political and a “solution” in search of a nonexistent problem.
Whittling away Cambridge history one building at a time. I don’t really believe the current City Council has much of a grasp on what they are doing in this area. They are just so quick to buy into false narratives about history, democratic process, and more.
Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to amending Article 4.30 and Article 11.800 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge. [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended Aug 7, 2023; Expires Sept 25, 2023 (no meeting on Sept 25)] (ORD23#4) [text of report]
pulled by Zondervan who notes that essence is to allow cannabis sales as of right in business districts w/o need for Special Permit; Ordained 9-0
Cannabis. 'Nuf said.
Resolution #1. Congratulations to Karen Francis on her retirement from the City of Cambridge. Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons
Karen is one of the best people I have ever met in Cambridge City government - a real friend. Indeed, everyone who works in the office of the Election Commission has a heart of gold.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Law Department to prepare a proposed Home Rule Petition relative to amendments to the Fair Housing Ordinance, as discussed at the Ordinance Committee meeting on Sept 12, 2023, and report back to the full City Council by Oct 2, 2023. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to prepare a regular summary (at least annually) of available funds for each funding source, as well as any amounts released to specific projects or efforts. Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Carlone for explanation of how this information is currently unavailable; comments by Nolan who wishes to be added; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
This would be very helpful information.
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct relevant departments to work together with the Chair(s) of the Health and Environment Committee and the Ordinance Committee, and include community input from residents and landscaping companies, to develop ordinance language that would lead to a phased in ban of the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Cambridge. Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; comments by Nolan; Toner wants to ensure outreach to landscaping companies and impact on workers; Adopted 9-0
Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant city departments on funding sources to supplement available state and federal funds to support and incentivize the transition to electrification of lawn equipment. Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0
Leaf blowers and lawn care are surely at the top of my list of priorities right now. - Robert Winters
Late Order #5. That the City Council sign in support of a Transportation Grant Application. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0; Not Reconsidered
There are 169 communications from members of the public. When few if any of the elected officials and City administration are listening, is there a sound? Here are a few noteworthy things on this week’s agenda:
Note: I will provide additional comments as soon as I have a chance to review the recording of the meeting. For now, here are the actions taken for those who are curious.
Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the Dam and Seawall Repair or Removal Program Grant, in the amount of $1,000,000, received from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA) to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account, for the repair of the Cambridge Reservoir Dam - Hobbs Brook Gatehouse and Culvert Outlet.
Order Adopted 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to 135 Fulkerson Street parcel and its transfer to the City for public use.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order #23-133 [Awaiting Report 23-49], regarding possible projections of build-out of the Alewife Quadrangle under the proposed AOD-Q zoning petition. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order #23-135, regarding standards for henkeeping. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0; Zoning Petition Referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to updates to the City of Cambridge’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) process for the upcoming 10th cycle (PB10) of the program.
Placed on File 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to extending the prior authorization for the City Manager or their designee to grant street obstruction approvals, along with any other necessary approvals for temporary obstructions until June 30, 2024.
Order Adopted 9-0
Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Victoria Bergland as a member of the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) Board of Commissioners as the resident Representative for a term of 5-years.
Referred to Housing Committee 9-0
Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and CPD to report to the City Council on all outstanding and recent (last 5 fiscal years: FY’23,’22,’21,’20,’19) lawsuits involving the CPD or individual members of CPD that the City is expending or has expended resources on, including an estimate of how much has been spent on these lawsuits to date in FY24. [Charter Right – Simmons, Aug 7, 2023]
Order Adopted 5-4 (BA,AM,PN,QZ,SS-Yes; DC,MM,DS,PT-No)
Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments and agencies to design and implement a pilot program providing subsidized, on-demand transit to low-income residents, people with disabilities and seniors, with a goal of expanding the program to service the region in ways that supplement the MBTA system via fare-free, on-demand transit for everyone. [Charter Right – Toner, Aug 7, 2023]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Charter Right #3. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on whether change in language to the CSO is necessary to enable installation of permanent, seasonal, and/or temporary outdoor dining and pop-ups alongside separated bicycle lanes consistent with Cycling Safety Ordinance that address concerns about the current situation. [Charter Right – McGovern, Aug 7, 2023]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
Unfinished Business #4. Amendment to Chapter 2.78 of the Cambridge Code of Ordinance, entitled “Historical Buildings and Landmarks.” (Ordinance #2022-11). [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended Aug 7, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Aug 28, 2023] (ORD22#11) [text of report (revised)]
Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to amending Article 4.30 and Article 11.800 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge. [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended Aug 7, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Aug 28, 2023] (ORD23#4) [text of report]
Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to the Alewife Overlay District: Quadrangle (AOD-Q) Zoning Petition and Design Guidelines. [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended Aug 7, 2023; To Be Ordained on or after Aug 28, 2023] (ORD23#5) [text of report]
Ordained as Amended 9-0 - Final Publication
Resolution #16. Congratulations to Nancy Glowa on her Retirement. Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to establish and implement a regular maintenance schedule for tree wells, bump outs, crosswalks, and other pedestrian areas to prevent overgrowth and ensure consistent upkeep. Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #4. Policy Order to design and affix a commemorative plaque in honor of Atieno Simmons on one of the Pride benches in front of City Hall. Councillor Toner, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #5. Policy Order re: Improving the Quality of Life In and Around Central Square. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner
Charter Right - McGovern
Order #6. Rodent Control Update. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #7. Reviewing the Short-Term Rentals Ordinance. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #8. Changes to the Amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0
Order #9. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with relevant departments including the Affordable Housing Trust, Community Development Department and Law Department to review the attached zoning proposal and report back to the City Council with an initial assessment regarding the feasibility and efficacy of such an approach no later than Oct 31, 2023. Councillor Zondervan
Charter Right - Toner
Order #10. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the relevant departments, including Community Development and Law to review the attached proposed amendment language and propose any adjustments no later than the Oct 2, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan
Charter Right - Toner
Order #11. That the City Council go on record in opposition to the Cambridge Police Department and the City of Cambridge government sending trainees to, participating in any collaborations with, or supporting the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center or any similar facilities, in any way. Councillor Zondervan
Not yet sure what was voted; Reconsideration Filed (likely by Zondervan)
Committee Report #2. A public meeting of the Cambridge City Council’s Ordinance Committee was held on Mon, July 31, 2023. The call of the meeting was to hold a public hearing on a City Council Zoning Petition relative to amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO). The meeting was recessed, and it was reconvened on Aug 3, 2023. The Committee voted to send the proposed ordinance language to the Full Council with a favorable recommendation to pass to a second reading. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Petition Passed to 2nd Reading 6-3 (Carlone, Nolan, Toner - NO)
References:
Nov 21, 2022 City Council Order
Feb 8, 2023 Housing Committee Report
Mar 22, 2023 NLTP Report
May 1, 2023 Order/May 8 Charter Right
June 12, 2023 CDD memo
Aug 7, 2023 AHO Annual Report
July 21, 2023 Ordinance Committee Report
Communications & Reports #1. A communication from Councillor Simmons Re: Seeking Reconsideration of PO23#146.
Placed on File 9-0
Sept 7, 2023 (revised Sept 18) - I received a request today for information about the voting records of this year’s municipal election candidates. Bear in mind that the older you are and the longer you have lived in Cambridge the more likely it is that you may have a distinguished voting record. I will add that there are only 84 Cambridge residents remaining who have never missed a single citywide election since 2001 (supervoters). I am one of them, and (not surprisingly) I know about half of them personally. - RW
Who has been raising and spending money? [Feb 2, 2022 - present]
(source - Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance)
2023 Cambridge Candidate Pages Calendar of 2023 Election-related events
Periodic OCPF Bank Reports
Union Contributions to Candidates - Incumbency Protection
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Aug 28, 2023 – Several people have asked how many people voted early in the last municipal election (Nov 2, 2021). Here you go (courtesy of the good folks at the Cambridge Election Commission):
| Vote by mail - mailed out |
Vote by mail - returned |
Voted in Person - Early Voting |
Voted in Person - Election Day |
Total Voters | Total Registered | Turnout |
| 12,476 | 8,616 | 1,207 | 12,256 | 22,079 | 67,698 | 33% |
Essential Dates for the 2023 Municipal Election
| Sat, Oct 28: | 5:00pm deadline to register to vote in municipal election. In person registration hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm at Election Commission office. (Mail in registration must be postmarked by Oct 28). | ||||||||||||||
| Sat, Oct 28 - Fri, Nov 3: |
In-Person Early Voting. Any registered voter can vote early. Unlike Election Day, you are not assigned to a polling location during the early voting period. You can go to any of the three (3) Cambridge early voting locations during the times designated below. The Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for this election.
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| Tues, Oct 31: | 5:00pm deadline to apply for absentee ballot by mail. | ||||||||||||||
| Mon, Nov 6: | Noontime (12:00pm) deadline to apply for absentee ballot for over-the-counter voting. | ||||||||||||||
| Tues, Nov 7: | Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm. It is expected that the Election Commission will report preliminary election results Tuesday evening (Nov 7), but this tally does not include auxiliary ballots (write-in ballots and other ballots not yet counted for a variety of reasons). These will be scanned and tabulated on Wednesday. Unofficial election results are expected to be announced on Wednesday when all of the auxiliary ballots have been included. The official election results will not be complete until any overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots have been included on Fri, Nov 7. |
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| Wed, Nov 8: | 9:00am-5:00pm. Ballot count resumes at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square. | ||||||||||||||
| Fri, Nov 17: | Overseas Absentee Ballots and Provisional Ballots will be counted at 5:00pm. |
| Candidates who will appear on the November 2023 ballot | ||
| City Council: (24 candidates for 9 seats) | School Committee: (11 candidates for 6 seats) | |
| Ayah Al-Zubi, 2B Dodge St., 02139 |
Alborz Bejnood, 166 Auburn St., Apt B, 02139 | |
| Burhan Azeem, 96 Berkshire St., 02141 | Richard Harding, 189 Windsor St. #1, 02139 | |
| Doug Brown, 35 Standish St., 02138 | Elizabeth Hudson, 236 Walden St., 02140 | |
| John Hanratty, 15 Mt. Vernon St. #7, 02140 | Caroline Hunter, 23 Rockwell St., 02139 | |
| Peter Hsu, 70 Gore St. #2, 02141 | Andrew King, 71 Chilton St., 02138 | |
| Adrienne Klein, 7 Beech St. #308, 02140 |
Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141 | |
| Marc McGovern, 17 Pleasant St., 02139 |
José Luis Rojas Villarreal, 19 Cornelius Way, 02141 | |
| Joe McGuirk, 314 Columbia St. #1, 02139 |
Eugenia Schraa Huh, 259 Washington St., 02139 | |
| Gregg J. Moree, 25 Fairfield St., 02140 | Robert V. Travers, Jr., 54 Fulkerson St., 02141 | |
| Federico Muchnik, 82 Richdale Ave., 02140 | David J. Weinstein, 45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138 | |
| Patricia Nolan, 184 Huron Ave., 02138 | Rachel Weinstein, 60 Standish St., 02138 | |
| Carrie Pasquarello, 230 Upland Rd., 02140 | ||
| Joan Pickett, 59 Ellery St. #1, 02138 | ||
| Frantz Pierre, 22 Water St. #808, 02141 | ||
| Sumbul Siddiqui, 283 Sydney St. #3, 02139 |
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| E. Denise Simmons, 188 Harvard St., 02139 | ||
| Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139 | ||
| Paul Toner, 24 Newman St., 02140 | ||
| Dan Totten, 54 Bishop Allen Dr. #2, 02139 |
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| Vernon Walker, 165 Main St. #1205, 02139 |
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| Hao Wang, 1 Longfellow Rd., 02138 | ||
| Ayesha M. Wilson, 15 Concord Ave., 02138 |
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| Robert Winters, 366 Broadway, 02139 |
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| Catherine Zusy, 202 Hamilton St., 02139 | ||
Official 2023 Cambridge Municipal Election Calendar (and advice for candidates)
Please Note: Potential changes to state law regarding voter registration
and early voting for Municipal Elections may require a revised calendar.
| Mon, July 3: | Municipal Election Nomination Papers available at Election Commission office.
The requirements to run for City Council or School Committee are: 1. The person must be a registered voter in Cambridge. To register, one must be 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a resident in the City of Cambridge. 2. The person must file no fewer than fifty (50) and no more than one hundred (100) certifiable signatures of registered voters in the City of Cambridge. The Commission has prepared an information kit for candidates containing important dates, Commission policies, services, and publications. The kits will be available with the nomination papers on July 3. Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, 2023. Nomination papers will be available through the July 31 submission deadline, but it is advisable that a candidate pick up papers early and get started collecting signatures. The process is an excellent way for a new candidates to “get their feet wet” and acclimate to the process of asking for support. ALL pages of your nomination papers must be notarized and there are a total of three sheets. You will also want to get a current database of registered voters. This is available from the Election Commission free of charge to any candidate who has pulled nomination papers. Voter history files and the street listing are also available. |
| Mon, July 31: | 5:00pm deadline to submit nomination papers & statements of financial interest for candidates. A minimum of 50 valid signatures must be filed and a candidate may submit up to 100 signatures. Once a voter's signature has been recorded for a particular candidate, it cannot be used for another candidate in the same race. That is, a voter should sign for exactly one candidate for City Council and one candidate for School Committee. Candidates should submit as many signatures as possible over the minimum of 50 because it is very likely that some signatures will not be certified. It is advisable that all signatures be checked against the voter registration list before submitting them. Candidates do not have to submit all their signatures at one time, and it is advisable that signatures be submitted as each sheet becomes full. The Election Commission staff traditionally checks signatures soon after they are submitted, so it is possible to know how many signatures have been tentatively certified in case it is necessary to obtain more signatures to reach the minimum of 50 certified signatures. Actual certification is only official when the Election Commission votes to approve them. |
| Mon, Aug 14: | 5:00pm deadline for Election Commission to certify signatures on nomination papers. |
| Wed, Aug 16: | 5:00pm deadline for municipal candidates to file withdrawal of nomination. |
| Sat, Oct 28: | 5:00pm deadline to register to vote in municipal election. In person registration hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm at Election Commission office. (Mail in registration must be postmarked by Oct 28). |
| Mon, Oct 30: | Deadline for School Committee candidates and Political Committees to file Municipal Campaign & Political Finance Reports. (City Council candidates should consult their OCPF packets regarding depository-filing requirements). City Council candidates are required under state law to set up a depository account at a bank. The bank will report all deposits and expenditures directly to the state's Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). School Committee candidates are not required to set up a depository account, but they must file a campaign finance report in mid-October and at the end of the year. |
| Tues, Oct 31: | 5:00pm deadline to apply for absentee ballot by mail. |
| Mon, Nov 6: | Noontime (12:00pm) deadline to apply for absentee ballot for over-the-counter voting. |
| Tues, Nov 7: | Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm. It is expected that the Election Commission will report preliminary election results Tuesday evening (Nov 7), but this tally does not include auxiliary ballots (write-in ballots and other ballots not yet counted for a variety of reasons). These will be scanned and tabulated on Wednesday. Unofficial election results are expected to be announced on Wednesday when all of the auxiliary ballots have been included. The official election results will not be complete until any overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots have been included on Fri, Nov 7. |
| Wed, Nov 8: | 9:00am-5:00pm. Ballot count resumes at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square. |
| Fri, Nov 17: | Overseas Absentee Ballots and Provisional Ballots will be counted at 5:00pm. |
In-person early voting and drop box locations and hours will be posted online at www.cambridgema.gov/election and will be available at the Election Commission Office.
| Regular Election Commission Office Hours: (Unless otherwise indicated) Mondays: 8:30am to 8:00pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: 8:30am to 5:00pm Fridays: 8:30am to Noon |
Holidays: The Election Commission will be closed for the following holidays: Independence Day - Tuesday, July 4 Labor Day - Monday, September 4 Indigeonous Peoples/Columbus Day - Monday, October 9 |
Some of us are waiting to see what the combined impact will be of potential commercial property tax abatements due to increased vacancies, the City’s Operating Budget growing faster than inflation, City Council demands for more programs and subsidies, and other factors. Here’s what the messages have said over the last decade - reverse chronologically:
FY2023 (Sept 2022): “A majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $250 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY22, where 74.7% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.”
FY2022 (Oct 2021): “This will be the seventeenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. … In fact, in FY22, 58% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 75% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight decrease from FY21, where 59% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and 77% of residential taxpayers saw an increase of less than $250.”
FY2021 (Oct 2020): “This will be the sixteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY21, 59% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 77% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a small decrease from FY20, where 61% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. However, it is an increase from FY20 in terms of the percentage of residential taxpayers (74%) that saw an average increase of less than $250.”
FY2020 (Oct 2019): “This will be the fifteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY20, 61% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 74% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a decrease from FY19, where 70% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 83% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY19.”
FY2019 (Oct 2018): “This will be the fourteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY19, 69.8% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 82.6% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is a slight increase from FY18, where 68.9% of residential taxpayers saw a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100 and a decrease where 91.5% of residential taxpayers saw an average increase of less than $250 in FY18.”
FY2018 (Oct 2017): “This will be the thirteenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change, or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY18, 68.9% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100; and 91.5% of residential taxpayers will see an average increase of less than $250. This is an increase from FY17, where 67.3% of residential taxpayers saw no reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $100. Over the past ten years, the City has seen an average of 72.6% of residential taxpayers see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than a $100 to their residential tax bill, and 73.9% over the past five years.”
FY2017 (Sept 2016): “This will be the twelfth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY17, approximately 67% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”
FY2016 (Sept 2015): “This will be the eleventh year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100 in their tax bill. In fact, in FY16, approximately 87% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100.”
FY2015 (Sept 2014): “Approximately 72% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY15 tax bill. In addition, another 13% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 85% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the tenth year in a row that a majority of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100.”
FY2014 (Sept 2013): “In addition, approximately 74.1% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase or an increase of less than $100 in their FY14 property tax bill. Another 13.5% of residential taxpayers will see an increase between $100 and $250. Therefore, a total of 87.6% of the residential taxpayers will see no increase or an increase of less than $250. This will be the ninth year in a row that a 13 majority of residential taxpayers will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100. The average annual percentage of residential taxpayers who, over the last eight years, will see either a reduction, no change or an increase of less than $100, stands at 73.5%.”
It is worth noting, however, that most residential taxpayers are now condominium owners, and because the residential exemption is a fixed amount across all residential categories, this partially explains the apparent relatively modest impact on residential taxpayers. There is a much greater impact on owners of single-, two- and three-family homes. Here’s some information I posted about a year ago that provides some details:
A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases (posted Nov 2022)
There’s a phrase that the Cambridge City Administration has been including in its annual “Dear Residents and Taxpayers of Cambridge” mailing for years that goes something like this: “For FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” This phrase used to end with “or an increase of less than $100”, but I suppose the percentages are much more appealing with the change. One might actually be led to believe that the tax levy is going down based on the initial reading of this annual message. In fact, this year (FY23) the tax levy went up by 7.4%, and the increases in recent years were 4.7%, 7.85%, 6.9%, 5.3%, and 3.8% (reverse chronologically). Much of the tax increases were picked up by commercial properties due to tax classification and City’s tax policy decisions, but the residential tax burden has certainly been on the rise.
One major source of confusion in the competing narratives of “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction…” and the “the tax levy went up by 7.4%” comes down to the fact that condominiums now comprise a very large percentage of residential tax bills, and condo owners have been getting a pretty sweet deal while much of the burden has shifted onto single-, two- and three-family property owners (as well as new residential buildings). Here’s a chart showing the median annual changes in residential tax bills (including the residential exemption) over the last 15 years:
Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family FY2009 $ 18 $ 40 $ 24 $ 72 FY2010 $ 69 $ 119 $ 47 $ 41 FY2011 $ 77 $ 306 $ 132 $ 154 FY2012 $ 60 $ 269 $ 177 $ 215 FY2013 $ 65 $ 159 $ 80 $ 85 FY2014 - $ 38 $ 109 $ 110 $ 201 FY2015 $ 15 $ 11 $ 334 $ 253 FY2016 - $ 18 $ 64 $ 101 $ 217 FY2017 $ 11 $ 324 $ 237 $ 336 FY2018 $ 76 $ 136 $ 33 $ 61 FY2019 $ 21 $ 124 $ 292 $ 469 FY2020 $ 43 $ 449 $ 366 $ 369 FY2021 $ 3 $ 246 $ 131 $ 218 FY2022 $ 33 $ 545 $ 301 $ 335 FY2023 - $ 107 $ 419 $ 269 $ 379 5 year average - $ 1.40 $ 356.60 $ 271.80 $ 354.00 10 year average $ 3.90 $ 242.70 $ 217.40 $ 283.80 15 year average $ 21.87 $ 221.33 $ 175.60 $ 227.00 current number of properties 14841 3910 2292 1168 As you can see from these figures, it’s the large number of condominiums (nearly 15,000) that enables the City to declare that “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different - especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year is the sweetest deal of all for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $107, while it’s increases of $419 for a single-family, $269 for a two-family, and $379 for a three-family.
Perhaps a discussion topic on this would be in order. In the meantime, here are all the meeting agendas and meeting minutes to date.
Needlesss to say, I have a few things I’d like to say on this topic. More to come. - Robert Winters
Charter Review Committee Meeting Agendas and Minutes
The Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E premiered on Monday, May 15 at 5:30pm on CCTV Channel 9 and is now viewable on YouTube.
Created by a multi-generational team of writer-narrators John Pitkin and Robert Winters, both long-time Cambridge residents, and director Gregorio Leon, a 2016 graduate of CRLS and Emerson College, the video is introduced by WGBH’s Jim Braude. The Cambridge’s City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E combines historical documents, images, maps, and statistics to present a provocative half-hour overview of Cambridge’s first 94 years as a city and the origins of the current Plan E charter.
The episode examines our shared history through the lens of the City Charter and local elections. It shows how the Town Meeting style of government became impracticable and led to the consolidation of Old Cambridge, the neighborhood around Harvard College, with the villages of Cambridgeport and East Cambridge to create the city of Cambridge, chartered by the Commonwealth in 1846. The half-hour video presents a provocative and visually engaging review of the expansion of Cambridge as bridges linked Old Cambridge to Boston in the 18th and early 19th century, as migration drove population growth, suffrage expanded, and participation in local elections increased.
The second episode of Cambridge Civic View, now in production, will look at the 83-year history of the current Plan E charter. Since 1940, Plan E has defined our local government, given us the existing system of nine City Councillors with a City Manager as our chief executive, and established the ranked-choice proportional representation voting system used to elect our Councillors and School Committee.
Together, the first two episodes in the series will provide background and perspective on the issues facing Cambridge’s Charter Review Committee as it proposes changes to the Charter and for Cambridge citizens when they vote on whether to adopt proposed changes.
In November, Cambridge will elect a new City Council of nine at-large Councillors and a School Committee of six. Cambridge Civic View strives to engage and inform all residents, whatever their policy priorities and political values, on civic issues and how our municipal government and local democracy are working.
Cambridge’s City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E will be also be shown on CCTV Channel 9 (and on the web at https://www.cctvcambridge.org/channel-9/) at the following times: 4:30pm on Wed. May 17, 6:30pm on Fri. May 19, and 12:00pm on Sun. May 21 and is available for streaming from YouTube and for classroom use.
Housing Information Library Drop In Hours 10.2.2023 (Sept 18, 2023)
Members Sought for the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women. Application Deadline 10-16-23. (Sept 18, 2023)
Draft Phosphorus Control Plan Now Available to Review (Sept 18, 2023)
Cambridge Pride Basketball Tryouts Begin October 22 (Sept 18, 2023)
Commendation of LT Kyle Schweinshaut of Squad 2 (Sept 18, 2023)
Inspiring Cambridge Youth through STEAM (Sept 14, 2023)
Cambridge Public Library to Launch Cooking Series (Sept 14, 2023)
Dept of Human Service Programs Celebrates Summer 2023 Programming (Sept 14, 2023)
Thank You For Helping Make Cambridge Arts Open Studios A Success! (Sept 14, 2023)
Work to Install Flex Posts on Hampshire Street Begins September 14 (Sept 13, 2023)
Draft 2023 CAPER Available for Review (Sept 13, 2023)
A DRAFT version of the City’s FY2023 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
9-11 Remembrance Ceremony - 2023 (Sept 12, 2023)
GIS Data Download Updates (Sept 12, 2023)
City of Cambridge Announces the Cambridge Promise Pilot for Eligible Students Attending Bunker Hill Community College (Sept 12, 2023)
Tobin Montessori & Vassal Lane Upper Schools Steel Topping Off Ceremony (Sept 12, 2023)
City of Cambridge Announces Increased Investment and Launch of 10th Participatory Budgeting Process (Sept 11, 2023)
Open Data Review Board Vacancy (Sept 11, 2023)
Apply For Cambridge Arts Grants | Up to $7,500 For Individuals And $9,000 For Organizations (Sept 11, 2023)
Attend an Education Job Fair on Thursday, September 21 (Sept 11, 2023)
Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group-Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway: Call for Members (Sept 7, 2023)
Cambridge Teen Dies From Injuries Following Motor Vehicle Crash (Sept 7, 2023)
STEAM Career Exploration Program Offers Hands-On Experience, Career Insight to Cambridge Teens (Sept 1, 2023)
Weekend of Sept 8 Expect Traffic Impacts Due to Road Closures (Sept 1, 2023)
Manhole Fires in the Brattle Square area (Aug 31, 2023)
Second Community Meetings for Neighborhood Action Plans (Aug 31, 2023)
On-Bike Skills Clinic and Group Ride Series for Seniors (Aug 30, 2023)
Pathway for Immigrant Workers Clinic (Aug 29, 2023)
Neighborhood Walk-Through program (Aug 29, 2023)
Fire Safe College Housing (Aug 29, 2023)
Important Rules of the Road to Keep Children Safe This Back to School Season (Aug 29, 2023)
Apply to Cambridge Works, City’s Transitional Jobs Program (Aug 28, 2023)
Kendall Square Construction Projects (Aug 28, 2023)
See And Shop More Than 70 Local Artists At Cambridge Arts Open Studios Sept 9-10 (Aug 28, 2023)
Bread & Puppet ‘Heart Of The Matter Circus’ On Cambridge Common Sept 2 - Free (Aug 28, 2023)
City Manager Addresses Latest Conversations Regarding Our Unhoused Community (Aug 27, 2023)
This elicted the following response from Patrick Barrett that was sent to the City Manager, all of the city councillors, and others:
Manager Huang,
I have some concerns about your latest statement regarding the issues citywide and in particular those involving Central Square, Harvard Sq, and the “unhoused.” The use of the term “unhoused community” to my mind is a misstatement of fact and doesn’t address the issue facing the city. Historically the homeless population in Cambridge has been relatively static hovering around 500-600 identified people for the past 30 years. In Central Square up until the pandemic this entire population was known to us. These people were never an “issue” per se and there existed an overall understanding of what behaviors were tolerated and how the business community, residents, and this population were to interact. What has changed started with the pandemic and the “sweeps” at Mass and Cass that inflated our addict, dealer, prostitution, and gang related populations which in turn moved our regular homeless completely out of the squares. This is the issue we face today and why I feel couching these newer more violent populations under the heading of “unhoused community” is not only offensive, it by design sets up any conversation that follows on a false premise. Further, to dismiss this as a “regional issue” or a matter so complex as to halt any action is little more than a dereliction of duty. I mention this as these are the comments I’ve heard from your staff and I reject them. If the City Manager and staff do not have the ability to articulate the issues that face our community without a sugar coated veneer it opens the door to misinterpretation and political opportunists who have historically used the “unhoused” as a tactic to downplay the real criminal dangers that face our residents, businesses, police, and the actual unhoused population we are trying to protect and serve by lumping the above violent groups into a monolith. I hope in the future the messaging coming from this administration is more thoughtful in its outreach and that complex action to our complex problem is applied. Otherwise we will continue to perpetuate a cycle of violence which is sadly becoming synonymous with our business districts.
Harvard Street will Close near Greene-Rose Heritage Park on Sunday, August 27 (Aug 24, 2023)
A cookout will take place between noon and 6pm. Street closure from 8am to 8pm.
City Departments Map (Aug 24, 2023)
Recent Data Updates - Neighborhood Profile, New Housing Data Page, Rent Tracker & More (Aug 23, 2023)
Cambridge Police Welcomes New Officers After Transferring to the Department (Aug 23, 2023)
Ensure that your Carbon Monoxide Detectors are Working (Aug 22, 2023)
Volunteers Sought to Serve on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (Application Deadline 9-25-23) (Aug 18, 2023)
City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Labor Day Holiday (Aug 17, 2023)
City of Cambridge Plans to Restore Exterior of Historic City Hall (Aug 17, 2023)
Work to Install Separated Bike Lanes on Hampshire Street Begins August 21 (Aug 16, 2023)
Increased funding for Cambridge Small Business Grants (Aug 16, 2023)
Cambridge Police Launches New Procedural Justice Dashboard (Aug 15, 2023)
Have You Seen The Giant Deer In Inman Square? (Aug 15, 2023)
Household Hazardous Waste (Aug 14, 2023)
The third of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in 2023 will be on Saturday, August 26, from 9am-1pm, at 65 Waverly Street.
First-Time Homebuyer Lottery Opportunity - The Pathmark (Aug 14, 2023)
Online Registration for Fall Programs at the War Memorial Opens August 14! (Aug 10, 2023)
Work to Install Flex Posts and Concrete Curbing on Brattle Street Begins August 10 (Aug 9, 2023)
GIS Data Download Updates (Aug 8, 2023)
The Company Journal and The Feeder Line (Aug 8, 2023)
from the Cambridge Fire Department
Meet Your Neighbor Day 2023 (Aug 8, 2023)
on Sunday, September 10
Dog And Cat Sculptures Restored, Reinstalled At King Open Playground (Aug 3, 2023)
Late-Night Detours on Route 28 Wednesday, August 2 to Friday, August 4 (Aug 2, 2023)
Take the Neighborhood Goals Survey! (Aug 1, 2023)
Designers Picked To Create Innovative Shade Structures To Address Warming World (Aug 1, 2023)
City Hall Front Entrance Closed for Construction June 6 - August 1 (June 2, 2022)
Request: Please relocate the flags over the entrance so that the message from Frederick Hastings Rindge is no longer obscured.
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting will be held on Tues, Sept 19 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee.
12:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to consider a proposed amendment to BEUDO requiring new Covered Properties to achieve net zero by 2030. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
11:00am-3:00pm Danehy Park Family Day
The City of Cambridge invites you to Danehy Park Family Day for family-friendly activities, arts & crafts, children’s amusement rides, entertainment, free food, and giveaways at Danehy Park (99 Sherman Street). This is a free event for all ages! Free Shuttle buses will be running throughout Cambridge to provide transportation to and from Danehy Park. Danehy Park can also be reached by public transportation: #74 bus or #78 bus from Harvard Square; #83 bus from Central Square; or take a shuttle bus from Alewife MBTA Station.
12:00pm-3:00pm Mass Ave Mixer (Starlight Square, 84 Bishop Allen Dr.)
Though this is a mixer and not a political event, it will be a good opportunity for candidates to meet and talk with residents, to wear your buttons, and even to pass around information about your candidacy. Please, no signs! This is not a “visibility”!
5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #28 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview
1:00pm The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will hold a public meeting from 1:00pm-3:00pm to report and update on the City of Cambridge Disparity Study. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm The City Council’s Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will hold a public meeting from 5:30pm-7:30pm to discuss the future treatment of Jerry’s Pond, specifically the Rindge Avenue edge. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
11:00am-1:00pm Cambridge Highlands - Quad Nbhd. Assoc. and the Fresh Pond Residents Alliance Candidate Meet & Greet [Rain Date Sun, Oct 1] (Rafferty Park off Concord Ave, parking next to Sancta Maria)
9:00am 14th Annual Bow Tie Ride (meet at Cambridge Main Library/Joan Lorentz Park)
Meet at 9:00am. The ride starts promptly at 9:30am and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. The bicycle ride starts and ends at Cambridge Main Library/Joan Lorentz Park. [More Info]
4:30pm Party for CCC endorsees at home of Sara Mae and Larry Berman, 23 Fayette St., Mid-Cambridge, outside 5-7pm, inside 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Note: CCC = Cambridge Citizens Coalition
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
The Cambridge City Council will conduct a public hearing related to setting the property tax rate classification. Under the laws of the Commonwealth, the City has the option of taxing residential and commercial/industrial property at different tax rates. At this public meeting, the City Council will review tax rates/classifications proposed by the City Manager and the Board of Assessors. The votes taken will result in property tax rates that reflect the City’s property tax levy for FY2024.
12:30pm The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed changes to the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
6:00-7:30pm City Council Candidate Meet N' Greet hosted by the Port Organizing Group (Pisani Center, 131 Washington Street)
5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #29 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview
6:00-8:00pm City Council Candidates Forum sponsored by CEOC and Cambridge YWCA (YWCA Cambridge, 7 Temple St)
3:00-5:00pm School Committee Candidate Forum sponsored by Cambridge Families of Asian Descent (Zoom link to follow)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
2:00pm The City Council’s Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee and the Health and Environment Committee will hold a joint public meeting from 2:00pm-4:00pm to discuss the relationship between the City and the Cambridge Health Alliance including a review of the operations and budget of the Public Health Department, the Cambridge Health Alliance annual contract with the City of Cambridge, legal options for structuring the public health board, and other ways to best serve the community’s public health needs. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
7:00-9:00pm Porter Sq City Council Candidate Forum (Lesley University, Porter Square)
7:00-9:30pm Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association Candidate Night - City Council & School Committee (Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #30 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview
6:00pm-8:00pm City Council Candidates Forum sponsored by Mothers Out Front, Green Cambridge, 350 Mass, City Growers, Mystic River Watershed Association (Central Square Senior Center)
3:00pm The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will hold a public meeting from 3:00pm-5:00pm to discuss, review, and evaluate the Zero Waste Master Plan and plan reports and updates, and to discuss possible ways to further reduce waste in Cambridge including exploring how the city might eliminate single-use plastics including but not limited to nips, bottled water, and utensils. (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)
Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm.
All absentee ballots (except Overseas Absentee Ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8:00pm to be counted. Ballot count begins at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square after the polls close. Overseas Absentee Ballots are due by 5:00pm on Friday, Nov 12, but must be postmarked by Nov 2.
5:30-7:30pm Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #31 (Zoom)
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview
